Science Blog

Blogs Away! Scientists’ Research Explodes onto the Web

The University of Idaho is a hub for exciting and innovative research, and its faculty is out to prove it.

The University of Idaho College of Science is launching a blog named Vandal Science aimed at educating the general public in many things science-related, literally bringing science to life in engaging and accessible ways. Faculty from each of the college’s departments will share insights into what it is like to conduct research both in a lab and in the field. Additionally, the team will provide links to some of the most fun and fascinating science stories on the internet.

“University of Idaho College of Science faculty and students are doing world-class science – really cool stuff – and they’re excited about it,” says blog administrator Tom Williams, assistant dean for graduate enrollment and director of research facilities for the college. “Idaho science is a great way of reaching beyond our campus to future students while sharing our enthusiasm. I hope they all come and join the fun.”

The blog is scheduled to launch on Friday, June 12 with posts about the keynote address of the Evolution 2009 conference, which begins at 8:00 p.m. PST, and blog postings continuing from the conference through its conclusion on Tuesday, June 16.

The Evolution 2009 conference is the annual joint meeting of the three major societies in evolutionary biology: the Society for the Study of Evolution, the Society of Systematic Biologists and the American Society of Naturalists. For four days, more than 1,100 of the world’s best and brightest minds in evolutionary biology will present the most current research from the numerous subdivision of the field.

“Evolution 2009 presents the perfect opportunity for the College of Science to launch this blog,” says Williams. “You can’t find more interesting research – nor the sheer amount of it – to write about anywhere in the country.”

But the conference is just the beginning. After that, University of Idaho science faculty will begin regular postings. Contributors include:

Von Walden, professor of geography, who will be posting from his field research post in the Arctic Circle.

Jerry Fairley, professor of geology, who will be posting during his sabbatical research excursion to Japan.

Erica Bree Rosenblum, professor of biology, who will be posting about her search into the genetic codes of frogs and an ancient chytrid fungus killing them the world over.

Tom Bitterwolf, professor of chemistry, who will be posting about his research to help convert radioactive waste into a glass stage for storage and nanoparticles prepared by photochemical methods.

Gwen Barnes, professor of physics, who will be posting about her studies on impact craters on the moon and Mars, and the evolution of their surfaces.

Ken Kingery, science and research writer in the department of communications and marketing

Readers are encouraged to ask university researchers questions about their research, what it’s like to be a research scientist and any other scientific inquiries that come to mind. To explore the College of Science blog, visit: http://www.uidahoblogs.com/science/